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On Wednesday, January 18, 2023, the Co-operative Development Division (CDD) of the Ministry of Youth Development and National Service (MYDNS) hosted the second edition of its Stakeholders’ Meetings of the Co-operative Movement, at the Buccoo Integrated Facility, Tobago where over 25 representatives from the Co-operatives indigenous to the island were present.
In her opening remarks, Mrs. Deborah Ann Scott, Acting Commissioner for Co-operative Development highlighted the significance of servant leadership within the movement and stressed the importance of fostering better relations and lines of communication between the movement and the Office of the Commissioner for Co-operative Development.
Also addressing the stakeholders was Chief Secretary and Secretary of Finance of the Tobago House of Assembly, the Honourable Mr. Farley Chavez Augustine, under whose Division the Cooperative Development Unit resides in Tobago. He extended his thanks to the Office of the CDD for the “Meet the Movement” initiative. Mr. Augustine spoke on the resilience of co-operatives and urged stakeholders to meet the changing demands and encourage the growth of their youth membership. He also stressed on the importance of co-operatives and partnerships. Mr. Augustine highlighted the Co-operative principle of “Cooperation among Co-operatives”, to ensure the continued stability of the sector.
Ms. Nikisha Ottley, Administrator for Division of Finance was also in attendance and reminded stakeholders of the need to work together as a collective mind to ensure the stability and advancement of the movement.
Credit Unions interested in participating in these upcoming stakeholder meetings can contact the Office of the Commissioner for Co-operative Development at 868- 645-9458 or email CommissionerCdd@gov.tt .
The CDD, a division of the MYDNS regulates and supervises Co-operatives in Trinidad and Tobago and strives to create an enabling environment in which Co-operatives can contribute towards the socio-economic development of the lives of its members.
The MYDNS remains committed to bringing all stakeholders together to promote youth development and encourages civic-minded citizens to contribute to national service across Trinidad and Tobago.